Localization of Nocardia in Dental Plaque by Immunofluorescence

Abstract

Summary Seventy-five organisms were isolated from dental plaque samples from 30 subjects and identified on the basis of their colonial morphology, micromorphology, and biochemical reactions. When stained by the indirect technique using an antinocardial serum, all 29 oral Nocardia strains isolated in this laboratory and 4 obtained from other laboratories stained brilliantly, whereas heterologous organisms showed much lower intensities of staining. The staining characteristics of paraffin sections of plaque by this technique were suggestive of the possible influence of the aerobic Nocardia on the rate of plaque formation.